A blind rivet setting device and method of setting a blind rivet. The device includes a housing; a pulling mechanism, arranged in the housing, that includes a chuck housing movable in a pulling direction and clamping jaws movable along a clamping distance in the chuck housing; an electric drive, structured and arranged to act on the chuck housing, that includes a control device; an electric battery structured and arranged as an energy source for the electric drive; and a spring structured and arranged in the chuck housing to apply a force to clamping jaws. For each clamping jaw, the chuck housing includes a guide path with a path base obliquely oriented to the pulling direction, and a back of each clamping jaw is supported against its respective path base over the clamping distance.

A blind riveting apparatus (1) comprises a motor (3), and a clamp (31) for gripping the mandrel of a blind rivet, the clamp being movable substantially along the axis of the rivet. The apparatus further comprises a first transmission (51) configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor (3) to the clamp (31) when engaged; and a second transmission (52) configured to convert rotary motion of the motor (3) to linear motion of the clamp (31), and thereby retract the clamp (31) to pull on the mandrel, when engaged. A transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first (51) and second (52) transmissions, the transmission control apparatus comprising a variable-influence brake or clutch (58). Methods of blind riveting, and further pieces of blind riveting apparatus, are also disclosed.

A spot-joining apparatus comprises a motor, a punch for driving a fastener or performing a clinching or friction stir spot welding operation, a first transmission, a second transmission and a transmission control apparatus. The first transmission is configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor to the punch when engaged. The second transmission is configured to convert rotary motion of the motor to linear motion of the punch, and thereby drive the punch towards a workpiece, when engaged. The transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first and second transmissions. Further apparatus for spot joining, and methods of spot-joining, are also disclosed.

A riveting device for setting a blind rivet element includes a mandrel, a first motor comprising a first operative connection to the mandrel, and a second motor comprising a second operative connection to the mandrel. The mandrel is configured to have a rotational movement be transmitted thereto to screw the mandrel into the blind rivet element, and to be retracted into the riveting device by a retraction movement to produce an at least partial plastic deformation of the blind rivet element. The first motor transmits the rotational movement to the mandrel via the first operative connection. The second motor transmits the retraction movement to the mandrel via the second operative connection.

A blind rivet fastening device in which a passage for collecting broken mandrels is provided other than on the axis of the motor. A large collection chamber is provided for broken mandrels. A collection chamber for broken mandrels is provided in front of a brushless electric motor in the axial direction. When the electric motor rotates, power from the electric motor is transmitted to a spindle positioned to the rear of the collection chamber via a second shaft positioned below the collection chamber. When the spindle rotates, a pulling head moves in the axial direction. The axial position of the pulling head is determined by detecting the rotation count of the electric motor. Forward rotation, reverse rotation, and stopping of the electric motor are controlled based on the operation of a trigger and the axial position of the pulling head. Excessive torque is avoided by clutches.

A rivet for blind fastening may include a screw with a handling element, a break groove, a head separated from the handling element by the break groove, and a threaded part. The rivet may also include a sleeve with a collar and a tubular shank having an internal thread intended to come into engagement with the threaded part of the screw. The handling element includes a first handling portion able to guide introduction of the rivet in a setting tool, and a second handling portion able to transmit a torque, the two handling portions being separated by a blocking portion able to limit an axial movement of the rivet in a setting tool. A setting nose may be used for installing such a rivet, and the rivet, setting nose and a setting method can be used in the assembly of aircraft structures.